Funds will Support Survivors of Domestic Violence and Increase Child Visitation Services

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly On Oct 11th, announced $1.46 million has been awarded to Kansas to prevent family, domestic, and dating violence; to support victims of such violence; and to safely increase noncustodial parents’ time with their children.  

“We have a responsibility to do all we can to keep families safe and free from violence,” Governor Kelly said. “This funding will support the crucial work our victim advocate groups, nonprofits, and local communities do on this front to prevent domestic violence and support survivors.”

The funds come from the Federal Health and Human Services for the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) and the Federal State Access and Visitation Program (SAVP).

This funding will go toward increasing awareness of and preventing family, domestic, and dating violence; and to providing immediate shelter and support services for victims of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence, along with their dependents.  FVPSA-funded programs provide outreach, shelter, support groups, crisis intervention, advocacy in obtaining protection from abuse orders, court accompaniment, transportation, and prevention education in schools and communities.

The SAVP grants will increase noncustodial parents’ access to and time with their children and provide services that benefit both parents with safeguards in place to minimize the risk of family violence for program participants. SAVP-funded agencies provide on-site supervision, exchange monitoring, therapeutic supervision, recording observations of visits, referrals to other services, and educational parenting classes.